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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Si on January 27, 2012, 08:24:00 PM

Title: making limb wedges
Post by: Si on January 27, 2012, 08:24:00 PM: I have used wedges from Bingham for all the bows I have made but now I would like to make my own. I have a good assortment of tools including a nice drum sander. Along with all my bow piddling, I have ventured into making some ILF risers but haven't made limbs due to not being able to buy ILF wedges so like other ventures I plan to make my own. I would appreciate any comments or direct me to some existing threads. Thanks
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: strungstick on January 27, 2012, 09:39:00 PM: Early on I made my wedges with a bearing guided drum sander on a drill press. Make a simple guide with 1/2" mdf or simmilar and taper running your feathers out in the direction of the drum rotation. I now make them on the performax 16-32 using a "mini" taper sled that has a stop on it to prevent the wedge from sliding. I hope that gives you an idea cause I'm bad with posting photos.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Trux Turning on January 28, 2012, 12:21:00 PM: Si- here a jig I made up long ago and used a drum sander on my drill press to make wedges. Recently I added a runner to the bottom of the jig so I can cut the wedges out with my table saw- I still need to add a push handle and a hold down for the wedge on the jig (for safety) but it does work well.
(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll259/truxturning/Tradgang%202012/Tradgang2012008.jpg)
Once I cut them out I use double stick tape and put them back together- cut side out.
(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll259/truxturning/Tradgang%202012/Tradgang2012010.jpg)
Then I run them through my drum sander untill the blank is square on both sides- this leaves me with feathered ends and two wedges that match each other. Just another way to skin a cat.
(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll259/truxturning/Tradgang%202012/Tradgang2012011.jpg)
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: strungstick on January 28, 2012, 01:48:00 PM: Trux,
I like your jig. I've just marked a line and free handed it on the band saw. I could make a lot less passes on the dimensional drum sander using a jig like that.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: PV on January 28, 2012, 07:06:00 PM: I use a jig simliar to Trux for the tablesaw. My jig for the drum sander.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/Shortbldtr/Trad%20Gang/IMG_1224.jpg)

Like the way you finish them Trux. No need for an additional jig.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Dmaxshawn on January 29, 2012, 09:28:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Trux Turning:
Si- here a jig I made up long ago and used a drum sander on my drill press to make wedges. Recently I added a runner to the bottom of the jig so I can cut the wedges out with my table saw- I still need to add a push handle and a hold down for the wedge on the jig (for safety) but it does work well.
(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll259/truxturning/Tradgang%202012/Tradgang2012008.jpg)
Once I cut them out I use double stick tape and put them back together- cut side out.
(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll259/truxturning/Tradgang%202012/Tradgang2012010.jpg)

David how long is that Jig I need to build me a jig like that one. It looks simple enough that I can screw it up.

Thanks shawn
Then I run them through my drum sander untill the blank is square on both sides- this leaves me with feathered ends and two wedges that match each other. Just another way to skin a cat.
(http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll259/truxturning/Tradgang%202012/Tradgang2012011.jpg)
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Trux Turning on January 29, 2012, 09:55:00 PM: Shawn- the jig will make a 9.5" wedge to the stop at the end. I cut a blank 3/8 s thick and then use the jig, it leaves about a 2" flat spot on the butt end... when you put the two pieces together, have the tapered sides together.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Robertfishes on December 19, 2018, 09:47:21 AM: Up for Si, I saw you were looking for this
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Robertfishes on December 19, 2018, 09:54:58 AM: Its been over 2 years since I have built a ILF limb.. What I did back years ago was. I built 2 Jigs for ILF wedges. The first is a copy of the Trux Turning jig for making the first cut, I use my band saw not table saw, I made a second jig with pattern on bottom to use on my Grizzly Edge sanders Pattern Sander. The pattern sander grinds the wedge to shape.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Buemaker on December 21, 2018, 05:55:18 PM: (http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b506/timian46/B7F57E60-B5DE-44D3-A1EF-2A90ED459732_zpsmmobknd3.jpg) (http://s1289.photobucket.com/user/timian46/media/B7F57E60-B5DE-44D3-A1EF-2A90ED459732_zpsmmobknd3.jpg.html)
Mine do not have a straight taper so I use a profile sander.
The wedge is elevated above the template with a couple of small nails.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: kennym on December 21, 2018, 07:55:33 PM: Sorry , mine must have gotten the ax during a shop cleaning!!
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Crittergetter on December 21, 2018, 08:21:29 PM: I do the same as Bue!
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 21, 2018, 10:35:20 PM: X-3 on profile sander.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Roy from Pa on December 22, 2018, 06:34:02 AM: Pretty cool, Bue.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Crooked Stic on December 22, 2018, 09:23:14 AM: Bue what is on the bottom of your jig?
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Buemaker on December 22, 2018, 10:58:55 AM: The bottom is plexiglas.
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Si on December 31, 2018, 09:46:58 AM: Thanks guys for all the replies. Now I just need to get off my butt and make some. happy New Year!!!
Title: Re: making limb wedges
Post by: Wolftrail on December 31, 2018, 11:16:39 AM: I have made shorties using the cut-off saw, or the belt sander for longer ones. Never had a glue joint fail yet using both methods.